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A male participant performs a controlled soccer header in a lab, wearing an EEG cap and custom mouthguard to track brain activity and head movement, while two researchers observe in the background.

Soccer headers briefly slow brain activity, study shows

Using the head to pass, shoot or clear a ball is routine in soccer and does not typically lead to concussions. However, a new study from the University of B.C. reveals that even mild heading has some measurable effects on the brain. The study revealed that impacts from heading the ball are followed by a momentary slowing of brain activity, producing brain waves that are more typically associated with sleep and drowsiness.